Seismic structure and tectonics of the southern Arauco Basin, south-central Chile (~ 38°S)

Abstract

The Arauco Basin is located on the continental shelf near the Chilean subduction zone (~38°S). Main deformational stages that affected this setting show a good correlation with Andean constructional phases. We studied the kinematic evolution of the Arauco Basin using high-resolution seismic reflection data across the southern Arauco forearc basin. Three structural domains are identified: (1) Inversion, (2) Extension and (3) Accretion. In addition, seven syn-kinematic sequences have been recognized overlying the Late Carboniferous to Triassic basement, and their relationships with four traditional tectonostratigraphic sequences of the Arauco Basin: (S1) Late Cretaceous syn-extension, (S2) Eocene syn-extension, (S3) and (S4) Eocene syn-inversion, (S5–S6) Miocene syn-inversion with middle extensional structures, and (S7) Pliocene-Quaternary post-inversion and syn-compression. Shortening began in the southern Arauco Basin coeval with a major readjustment of the plate convergence rate (~34Ma) that is represented by inversion structures and kinematic syn-inversion sequences. A marked erosional unconformity (34–23Ma) represents a subsequent event of erosion/uplift during the Oligocene. A contractional Miocene deformation phase reinforced the inversion tectonic and generated Miocene extensional structures. Since the Pliocene the rapid exhumation of the Nahuelbuta Range allows the emergence of the Arauco Basin. Within the basin, Pliocene and Quaternary sequences were affected by contractional structures including the inversion of the Miocene extensional faults. The contraction along the Arauco Basin can be related to the shift to accretionary conditions of the margin and the oblique collision of the Mocha Fracture Zone (~3.6Ma) at ~38°S. The mechanics of regional subsidence which affected the basin during the Miocene cannot be attributed to major scale extensional structures (>1.0km).